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Tom Richardson as Dennis and Joseph Clowser as Neil. Picture: Will Green Just Between Ourselves Malvern Theatres **** This year marks Alan Ayckbourn’s 66th anniversary as a playwright so jump into an itchy burlap sack and slide that Helter Skelter back to 1976 as London Classic Theatre brings their unflinching 25th anniversary production of Just Between Ourselves to the Malvern boards. Dennis, Tom Richardson, is pottering in his garage attempting to mend a kettle and prove himself useful, while, at the same time, keeping out of the way of his wife Vera, Holly Smith, and his mother Marjorie, Connie Walker, who are stepping on each other's toes as Marjorie belittles Vera’s aptitude for homemaking. The more Dennis tries to laugh off Vera’s uncomfortable distress causing Vera great emotional scarring, her confidence ebbs like the spluttering engine of her old Mini, that neighbour Neil, Joseph Clowser, is attempting to buy as a present to cheer up his unsatisfied wife Pam, Helen Phillips. The uncomfortable complicated relationships between the couples and the mother-in-law to boot, make for seat squirming moments as Dennis ridicules Vera’s clumsiness, Marjorie shreds Vera’s nerves over a lack of cake making and Pam and Neil struggle to reach an equilibrium while trying to raise their son Darren. Along with the sticking garage door and the broken shutter, lack of light bulbs or sympathy to their better halves, there are many birthday parties to endure and depression, suicidal tendencies and mental break downs along the way with a comic timing for catastrophe and mismatched chaos. Despite the heartache, there is much to laugh about, and Dennis can’t even give the Mini away, not for want of trying. The play just ends, and the audience filter out quietly contemplating the tragic mental state Vera is driven to, leaving her catatonic and unable to string a sentence together. This scrutiny of a bygone era touches the heart and makes you think about the times we are living in now behind closed doors so step back in time with this Alan Ayckbourn classic at Malvern Theatres until Saturday March 22nd. Box office on 01684 892277 or online HERE Emma Trimble 18-03-25 |
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